considerable impact on Paraguay’s wildlife”. In
Paraguay’s already fragmented Atlantic Forest
(see page 26), many fires are started to clear
land for illegal marijuana cultivation. Birds such
as Black-fronted Piping-guan Pipile jacutinga
(Endangered) and IBAs such as Mbaracayú
Forest Nature Reserve are at risk.
So worried is Guyra Paraguay that it joined
forces with other NGOs, including BirdLife
International and SAVE Brazil, to launch a
manifesto demanding “immediate and lasting
action from the governments of Brazil,
Bolivia and Paraguay”. Signatories criticise
current government policies for “incentivising
deforestation and unsustainable productive
practices” and demand “incentives to keep the
forest standing”.
Media profile has raised the ante. “In Brazil,
everyone has been talking about our forests.
I’ve rarely witnessed that”, says Develey.
Agribusinesses have been worried about the
negative repercussions for exports, supporting a
campaign demanding the end of deforestation
on public lands in Amazon. Conservation of the
Amazon has become a concern of productive
industries, not just environmentalists. The level
of distress has finally roused South America’s
politicians. In September, seven national leaders
(including Bolsonaro) established disaster-
OCT-DEC 2019 • BIRDLIFE
response and satellite-monitoring initiatives, and
pledged reforestation.
The rise and fall of Brazil and its Forest Code
offer salutary lessons of global relevance.
“Brazil was briefly a shining example,” says
Bryna Griffin, the head of BirdLife’s Forests
Programme. “But then political winds changed,
and gains were quickly and dramatically lost.”
Brazil’s experience demonstrates that increasing
law enforcement, expanding protecting
areas, recognising indigenous territories, and
combining carrots with sticks for agribusinesses
can work to reduce deforestation. “Brazil’s
example shows that we have the tools to make
conservation work, but only if we choose to use
them”, says Griffin.
Saving the Amazon requires land regulation,
effective oversight, international pressure and
respect for legislation. But whether we are in
Brazil or elsewhere, we each have a role to
play: as consumers we need to rethink our
daily habits. Develey points to the market signal
of buying environmentally certified products.
Although we did not physically ignite Brazil’s
fires ourselves, our purchasing choices may
have helped fan the flames. As we express
outrage at future images of flaming forests, we
might do well to remember that change can
also start at home.
An aerial view of
deforestation in the
Amazon
Photo Richard Whitcombe/
Shutterstock
0
25